Childhood Immunizations Stalled in 2023

The latest World Health Organization  (WHO) and UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage highlight the need for vaccination catch-up, recovery, and system-strengthening efforts.

The WHO announced today the global childhood immunization coverage stalled in 2023, leaving 2.7 million additional children un- and under-vaccinated compared to 2019.

More than half of unvaccinated children live in 31 countries.

“The latest trends demonstrate that many countries continue to miss far too many children,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell in a press release on July 15, 2024.

“Closing the immunization gap requires a global effort, with governments, partners, and local leaders investing in primary healthcare and community workers to ensure every child gets vaccinated and that overall healthcare is strengthened.”

According to the findings, the number of children who received three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) in 2023 – a key marker for global immunization coverage – stalled at 84% (108 million).

However, the number of children who did not receive a single dose of the vaccine increased from 13.9 million in 2022 to 14.5 million in 2023.

Additionally, 6.5 million children did not complete their third dose of the DTP vaccine, which is necessary to achieve disease protection in infancy and early childhood.

The new data also highlight some brighter spots in immunization coverage.

The steady introduction of new and underutilized vaccines, including for human papillomavirus, meningitis, pneumococcal, polio, and rotavirus disease, continues to expand the breadth of protection, particularly in the 57 countries supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.